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The Carrie Diaries Review: Welcome to New York

In the highly anticipated Sex and the City prequel, we meet Carrie Bradshaw as a teenager in 1984. The Carrie Diaries' pilot introduces us to Carrie and her group of friends as they navigate high school life in Castlebury, Connecticut.

It also tells the story of Carrie's ultimate love affair. No not with Mr. Big... with Manhattan!

As I already told viewers in my preview of "Five Reasons You Should Watch The Carrie Diaries," don't expect any of the modern day characters just yet. This is an entirely different group of people with their own unique stories. However, that doesn't mean you won't see similar archetypes. That hottie pictured up above with young Carrie is probably one of the key reasons she will end up falling for guys like Mr. Big later in life.

Meet Sebastian Kidd. He's the new kid with the bad boy reputation. Kicked out of three private schools and drives a porsche? No problem, as long as he looks good walking in slow-mo with Wayfarers on. While everyone else is drooling and comparing rumors, Sebastian saunters right up to Carrie and says hello. Turns out they used to hang out at her swim club and shared a really steamy pool kiss.

If you've read any of my other show reviews, you know how I feel about steamy pool kisses. I'm looking at you, 90210.

Sebastian even caught Carrie when she fainted in the hallway, a sweet and very old fashioned gesture considering everything Carrie as gone through. We find out early on in the episode that Carrie's mother passed away in May. When her father approaches her at school to talk to her about an internship, she has a flashback and thinks she's about to hear about horrible news again. Mr. Bradshaw's idea for Carrie to intern in Manhattan was actually really sage.

Carrie dreams of Manhattan. It's also a great outlet for her to get away from some of her sadness. High school isn't exactly the easiest place to cope with things. She seems to have a great support group of friends with Mouse, Maggie and Walt but they all have their own stuff to deal with. In New York City, Carrie meets Larissa. A woman who is a lot of fun, a little bit of trouble and a writer for Interview magazine. Basically she's Carrie's idol.

Between these two worlds, the show has a lot of material with which to work. Carrie gets to explore the world of the city with new friends and new adventures while still experiencing normal teenage stuff back home. The show deals with typical young issues, falling in love, losing your virginity, makeups and breakup, figuring out your sexual orientation and just general getting to know yourself as you grow up. There's also the typically graphic and hilarious teenage vernacular on display.

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Loved the first episode. First I thought no im not gonna watch it. But now I wil certainly tune in next week!

Belgium•January 15, 2013 13:50

I loved it! Being a major Sex and The City fan, I just had to watch TCD! It fun, cute and fresh! Can't wait to see more...

Seriefreak•January 15, 2013 12:43

The episode was pretty good. Not as good as I expected, but I've been waiting for it a really long time so that must be it. I really did enjoy watching it though. The only thing I don't get is on what day Carrie has her internship in NY. Is it on a school day or in the weekend?

meh its watchable, wasn't as bad as i first anticipated. it is realistic and deals with issues still relevant today 4/5 here.

R•January 15, 2013 10:34

the concept of juggling between two worlds reminds me of 'Jane by Design', though I believe TCD has a lot more potential. and seeing Austin Butler on my screen is just fantastic

StBob•January 15, 2013 09:40

compare The Carrie Diaries with Girls. Okay they were more innocent times but its chalk and cheese. I suspect that while the teen Manhattan wannabes are watching Girls it will only be their 45yo+ parents and gay uncles watching TCD for the 80s tunes and fashions.

Mira•January 15, 2013 08:53

Love it love it love it! Carrie is the first female lead in ages who hasn't bored me to tears after ten minutes - she is adorable and absolutely authentic...

toasterstrudel•January 15, 2013 08:25

its fun, its fresh, its everything CW needs.what do you guys think ratings will be like?

AnnaSophia nailed it! She really went deep into SJ Parkers Carrie. There are these huge similarities but she kept that innocence a child should have. Her current Entourage is sweet as well. Her optimism is so incredible, and getting hit every time she dreams was sweet as well. I never understand why they never introduced Carrie's family in the SatC series. Her father and sister are really well developed. Larissa gave the pilot a new dimension and necessary edge. Sebastian hmmm nice to see him around. . . Bad things: Too many voice overs, I think the 80's theme will be hard to keep on. . .